tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1938135989738684906.post4208074053582129819..comments2013-09-03T04:56:45.882-07:00Comments on The cycling mishaps of Baldcyclist...: Even if it is never used, I say build it. Built it like Livingston!Baldcyclisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16033111850749969125noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1938135989738684906.post-53553732592040978512013-09-03T04:56:45.882-07:002013-09-03T04:56:45.882-07:00Hi Robert,
For next time, the paths next to that ...Hi Robert,<br /><br />For next time, the paths next to that (roundabout) road are shared use, but you would still have to navigate the roundabouts as a pedestrian would (think there's a crossing at the Morrisons roundabout).<br /><br />I think you maybe highlight one of the downfalls of the paths being hidden from traffic. If you don't have local knowledge they are easy to miss. Although the paths are well signposted once you are on them, there is no signage TO them.<br /><br />You are right in that once you get out of Livingston the paths are sparse. To the North Bathgate and Broxburn are connected, but to the South not so good, only as far as W calder.<br /><br />I must admit I've never cycled to Stoneyburn on Paths (have cycle the road out by 5 sisters), but there is an off road route that would get you as far as West Calder (and route 75 would take you to Seafield)...<br /><br />Assuming you have entered Livingston on Route 75 (that's how I would from canal? Now going to assume you know Livingston a bit..), you could take the route I do above into Deadridge, you can then cycle on the Waverly path (I think it is) to Polbeth, there is then a pathway to W Calder from Polbeth. After that you would then be off road. Even if you didn't go as far as Polbeth, I would imagine (never cycled it though) that the Waverly path would connect with the industrial estate before the 5 sisters road.<br /><br />Cheers,<br />Mark.Baldcyclisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16033111850749969125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1938135989738684906.post-30462486918067920792013-09-03T00:20:13.175-07:002013-09-03T00:20:13.175-07:00Having cycled in Livingston on Friday and Saturday...Having cycled in Livingston on Friday and Saturday with the children, there may be another barrier - the roads! If your route takes you beyond the path network, then the roads are rather hostile. However our route may have been unusual - Union Canal, cross Livingston, towards Stoneyburn, which took us through the roundabouts of Almondvale.<br /><br />Even with the roundabout being clear, by the time you'd entered it, there was a motorist on a collision course for us, and not prepared to give way to the cyclists ahead... The driver had obviously seen a gap and accelerated on to the roundabout, not expecting slow traffic to be have joined from a road ahead of them.<br /><br />Assuming that this is representative (a big assumption), then cycling would be restricted to the immediate town by the stranglehold of the surrounding high volume roads (also suggested by your initial road maps).<br /><br />We saw children cycling within the path network, but no adults - perhaps cycling is seen as a toy for children, whereas adults can easily walk the town, and take to the car for further distances. Children are usually restricted (UK-wide) to a small (and shrinking) area around the home, so the 3x3 mile paths are ideally suited to them, and even if their parents would permit wider roaming, the roads mitigate against this.<br /><br />Thank you for the interesting post!<br /><br />RobertRoibeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14543039297007985773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1938135989738684906.post-84506858786566976342013-09-02T15:33:06.319-07:002013-09-02T15:33:06.319-07:00Thanks for the interesting post.
I think size is ...Thanks for the interesting post.<br /><br />I think size is the single biggest reason for comparatively low uptake of cycling in Livingston. You explain the town is 3 miles x 3 miles and 3 miles is really not very far to walk.<br /><br />Compare London!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08205378822164679021noreply@blogger.com